Stenopterygius quadriscissus

Stenopterygius quadriscissus

The Museum's Stenopterygiusquadriscissus specimen is world-famous because of the well-preserved outlines of the animal's skeletal structure as well as softer body parts. Stenopterygiusquadriscissus evolved a highly modified body for aquatic life.

Stenopterygiusquadriscissus is an ichthyosaur, an extinct animal whose body shape closely resembled that of today's fast-swimming fishes such as the tuna. This well-preserved specimen is an ichthyosaur that died and was buried while giving birth to live young.